2004 SKODA OCTAVIA TOUR brake

122DRIVING TIPSAnti-lock brake system (ABS)*The ABS plays a major part in increasing
the active safety of the vehicle.
The big advantage when compared with a
conventional brake system is that even
during a full brake application on a slippery
road surface the best possible steerability
is retained for the road condition because
the wheels do not lock.
However, one must not expect the ABS
system to shorten the braking distance
under all conditions.
How the ABS system works
An automatic test procedure is carried out
once the car has reached a speed of about
20 km/h. A pump noise may be audible for
about 1 second during this check.
When the turning speed of a wheel reaches
a level which is too low for the vehicle speed
and it tends to lock, the brake pressure to
this wheel is reduced. The brake pressure
is controlled individually for each wheel.
This ensures that the braking action is even
and that driving stability is retained to the
maximum possible extent.This control process makes itself felt by
a pulsing movement of the brake pedal
and is accompanied by noises. This is done
deliberately as a warning to the driver that a
wheel or wheels are in the locking range. The
brake pedal should remain depressed to en-
able the ABS to offer ideal control within this
range - on no account pump the brake pedal!
Warning
The ABS system can also not over-
come the physical limits. This has to
be born in mind, particularly on slip-
pery or wet roads. When the ABS is
operating in the control range, your
speed should immediately be adap-
ter to road and traffic conditions.
The increased amount of safety avail-
able should not tempt you into tak-
ing risks.
If a fault occurs in the ABS system, this is
indicated by a warning lamp - see page 60. Warning
If a fault exists, only the normal brake
system is operational. You should
drive to a Škoda Dealer as soon as
possible. Adapt your speed and driv-
ing style to the changed circum-
stances as the extent of the damage
to the ABS system is not known.
Electronic differential lock (EDL)*Cars fitted with the anti-lock brake system
(ABS)* can be equipped in addition with an
electronic differential lock.
The EDL system makes it much easier or,
in deed, at all possible to move off, accel-
erate and drive uphill even on unfavourable
road surfaces.
The EDL operates automatically - in other
words without any action on the part of the
driver.
It monitors the speed of the driven wheels
using the sensors of the ABS system.
If the road surface is slippery on one side,
a difference in speed exists between the
driven wheels. It is then necessary to pro-
duce more throttle, for example, when mov-
ing off on a hill, on a slippery road surface
etc. The EDL function compensates for the
difference in speed by braking the wheel
which is slipping and transmits the power
through the differential to the other driven
wheel.
This control process makes itself notice-
able by characteristic noises.

123
DRIVING TIPS
In order to achieve the optimal effect of
the EDL system, depress the accelera-
tor pedal and the clutch when starting
off to match road conditions.Warning
When accelerating on a smooth road
surface, for example on ice and
snow, depress the accelerator care-
fully.
The driven wheels may slip despite
the EDL and thus affect the driving
stability of the car.
The EDL is switched off automatically if
unusually severe stresses occur. The car
can continue to be driven and has the same
characteristics as a car without EDL. That
is why no indication is provided if the EDL
is switched off.
The EDL switches on again automatically
as soon as the brake has cooled down.
If the ABS warning lamp comes on, see
page 60, there might also be a fault in the
EDL. Drive to a Škoda Dealer as soon as
possible! Warning
Your driving style should always be
adapted to the condition of the road
and the traffic situation. The addi-
tional safety offered by the EDL must
not tempt you into taking a safety
risk!
Engine braking control (EBC)*The EBC operates in conjunction with the
ABS. It is intended to prevent the driven
wheels of the car being excessively sharply
braked when „braking with the engine“ as
a result of releasing the accelerator or shift-
ing down on a smooth road surface. The
EBC automatically increases the engine
speed in order to maintain optimal steer-
ability of the car even when „braking with
the engine“.
The four-wheel drive system of your car re-
quires no manual intervention on your part.
The force is distributed to the driven wheels
automatically and is optimally matched to
the handling of the car and to the particu-
lar road conditions.
The four-wheel drive concept is designed
for high engine output and provides your
car with excellent drivability both in normal
road conditions as well as in extreme con-
ditions such as driving on snow and ice.
It is important, however, to pay attention to
the following safety information:
All-wheel drive*

125
DRIVING TIPS
Technical requirements

If the car is supplied with a factory-fitted
towing bracket, all that is technically and
legally necessary for towing a trailer has
already been taken into account.

If the trailer to be towed has a 7-pin con-
nector, you can obtain an adapter cable
from Škoda Dealers.

Škoda Dealers are acquainted with the
details of retrofitting a towing bracket and
modifying the cooling system. You should
therefore have a towing bracket fitted by a
Škoda Dealer. Operating instructions


The permissible trailer weights must on
no account be exceeded.

The trailer weights stated are only ap-
plicable for altitudes up to 1000 m above
mean sea level (MSL). As the engine out-
put and thus the climbing ability drops due
to the decreasing air density, the weight of
vehicle and trailer must also be reduced by
10 % for each further 1000 m or part the-
reof.
Take this fact into account when driving at
high altitudes.

You should make full use of the maxi-
mum permissible drawbar weight indicated
on the ball head of the towing bracket, but
do not exceed it.

The load carried in the trailer should be
distributed so that any heavy objects are
placed as close as possible to the axle,
taking into account the permissible trailer
weight and drawbar load. The objects
should also be secured to prevent them
slipping.

Select the tyre pressure of the car for full
loads and also check the pressure of the
trailer tyres.

The headlight beam control of the car
should be set to match the particular load
conditions.

The handbrake of the car should be ap-
plied when hitching up and unhitching the
trailer.
Inspect the ball head to ensure that
it is properly locked each time before
setting off.
The inspection is performed by turn-
ing the closed locking lever down-
wards.
If the locking lever can only be turned
approx. 5°, the locking mechanism is
OK.
After the inspection pull the locking
lever back again to its stop.
The towing device must not be used,
if it does not wish to close or the
locking lever turns slightly in the clo-
sed position.

126DRIVING TIPSDriving instructions
To obtain the best possible handling of ve-
hicle and trailer, please note the following
points:

Try to avoid driving with an unladen ve-
hicle and a loaded trailer. If this cannot be
avoided, only drive slowly to allow for the
unfavourable weight distribution.

As the driving stability of vehicle and trai-
ler decreases when the speed increases,
do not drive at the maximum permissible
top speed in unfavourable road, weather or
wind conditions - particularly when going
downhill.
You should in any case immediately reduce
your speed as soon as you detect even the
slightest swaying of the trailer. On no ac-
count attempt to eliminate the swaying by
accelerating!

For safety reasons, you should not drive
faster than 80 km/h (50 mph). This also
applies in countries where higher speeds
are permitted.

Apply the brakes in good time! If the
trailer is fitted with an overrun brake, apply
the brakes gently at first, then increase the
pressure. This avoids any braking shocks
caused by the wheels of the trailer block-
ing. Shift down gears in good time before
driving downhill so that the engine can act
as a brake.

If it is necessary to drive a long uphill
section in a low gear with a very high en-
gine speed and at unusually high ambient
temperatures, keep a check on the cool-
ant gauge. If the needle of the gauge moves
into the upper range of the scale, reduce
the speed of your car immediately. If the
temperature and brake fluid level warning
light flash, however, stop and allow engine
to cool down by letting it idle for a few min-
utes. Pay attention to the further informa-
tion on p. 46.

The coolant temperature can be reduced
by switching on the heater.

The cooling effect of the radiator fan
cannot be increased by changing down,
because the speed of the fan is not depend-
ent on the engine speed. You should there-
fore not change down even when towing a
trailer as long as the engine can cope with-
out the vehicle speed dropping too much.
General notes

It is advisable to have the vehicle ser-
viced between the inspection intervals
if it is used frequently for towing a trailer.

The trailer and drawbar load figures on
the data plate of the towing bracket are for
test certification only. The correct figures for
the vehicle, which may be lower than the
above figures, are given in the vehicle do-
cuments.

133
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
WheelsSteel wheels
The wheels and the wheel covers should
also be thoroughly washed during the regu-
lar washing of the car. This prevents brake
abrasion, dirt and road salt forming depos-
its. Stubborn brake abrasion which adheres
to the wheels can be removed with an in-
dustrial dust remover. Damage to the
paintwork should be touched up before any
rust can form.
Light alloy wheels*
Regular care is required in order to retain
the decorative appearance of light alloy
wheels over a long period. It is particularly
necessary to thoroughly wash off road salt
and brake abrasion at least every two
weeks otherwise the light alloy finish will
suffer damage. After washing the wheels,
treat them with an acid-free cleaning prod-
uct for light alloy wheels. It is also neces-
sary to thoroughly rub hard wax into the
wheels about every three months. Do not
use paint polish or other abrasive products.
Damage to the paintwork of light-alloy
wheels should be touched up straightaway.Note
If the wheels are very dirty, this can re-
sult in imbalance. This causes vibra-
tions which are transmitted to the steer-
ing column and in addition results in pre-
mature wear.
Warning
Please note, when cleaning the wheels,
that moisture can affect the braking ac-
tion.HeadlightsPlease do not use any aggressive clean-
ing or chemical solvent products - risk of
damage to the plastic lenses.
Please use soap and clean warm water.
Do not clean the headlights dry or use any
sharp objects for cleaning the plastic
lenses. Otherwise, this can cause damage
to the protective paintwork and conse-
quently lead to formation of cracks on the
headlight lenses, e.g. through effect of
chemical products.
In addition, it is recommended to treat leat-
her which is subject to normal wear-and-
tear every six months with the leather care
product available from a Škoda Dealer. This
product should be applied very sparingly.
Leave for a short time and then wipe dry
with a soft cloth.
„Alcantara“ upholstery*Do not use any cleaning products for
leather for cleaning „Alcantara“ cloth.
Removing dust and dirt
Use a slightly moistened soft washing cloth
to wipe off the „Alcantara“ upholstery or
treat it with a suitable shampoo.
Removing stains
Moisten a soft cloth with water or diluted
alcohol and dab the stain working from the
edge into the middle.Seat covers for electric seat heater *Please
do not clean the seat covers wet.
The seat heater might otherwise be dam-
aged.
Please use special cleaning products, dry
foam, or similar for cleaning the seat cov-
ers.

136GENERAL MAINTENANCE1.6-ltr./74 kW petrol engine
1 - Coolant expansion reservoir
2 - Reservoir for hydraulic fluid of powersteering
3 - Windscreen washer reservoir
4 - Engine oil dipstick
5 - Engine oil filler opening
6 - Brake fluid reservoir
7 - Battery 1.9-ltr. TDI 66 kW/81 kW diesel engine
1 - Coolant expansion reservoir
2 - Reservoir for hydraulic fluid of power
steering
3 - Windscreen washer reservoir
4 - Engine oil dipstick
5 - Engine oil filler opening
6 - Brake fluid reservoir
7 - Battery
The arrangement in the engine compart-
ment is largely identical on all petrol and
diesel engines.

137
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Warning
Particular care is required when per-
forming work in the engine compart-
ment!

Never open the bonnet if you see
that steam or coolant is escaping
from the engine compartment - risk
of scalding!
You must wait long enough, until the
steam or coolant has stopped escap-
ing.

Switch off engine and withdraw ig-
nition key.

Apply handbrake properly.

Move gearshift into Neutral (on
models with automatic gearbox mo-
ve selector lever into position „P“).

Allow engine to cool down.

If the engine is still warm:
- do not place your hand into the ra- diator fan, it might start suddenly.
- do not open filler cap of coolant reservoir as cooling system is
pressurized - risk of scalding.

Avoid short circuits in the electri-
cal system - particularly at the bat-
tery!

If you wish to work under the ve-
hicle, you must secure the vehicle
from rolling away and support it with
suitable supporting blocks: the car
jack is not sufficient for this - risk of
injury!

If it is necessary to carry out test
work when engine is running, there
is an additional risk from rotating
parts - e.g. ribbed belt, alternator,
radiator fan etc. - and from the high-
voltage ignition system.

Never touch the electrical cables
of the ignition system.

Absolutely avoid any jewellery,
loose items of clothing or long hair
from getting into the rotating parts of
the engine - Hazard! Therefore re-
move any jewellery beforehand, tie
up your hair and wear tight fitting
clothing.
It is essential to comply with all the
warning information given in this
manual and with the general rules of
safety when carrying out work on the
engine.
When topping up fluids, ensure that no mix-
ups occur otherwise this may cause severe
operating problems!
The floor below the car should be
inspected regularly in order to de-
tect leaks in good time. If patches of oil or other fluids are visible, the car shouldbe taken to a Škoda Dealer for an inspec-
tion.

138GENERAL MAINTENANCE
LongLife Service*The LongLife Service ensures that your
vehicle is always in proper roadworthy con-
dition while requiring only minimal effort on
your part.
The LongLife Service is determined on the
basis of:
- Oil level and pressure sensor - see page 59
- Brake wear indicator - see page 58
- Engine oils complying with the standard VW 503 00 (petrol engines), VW 506 00
(diesel engines, except PDi engines)
and VW 506 01 (diesel engines) - see
page 138
- Variable service interval display - see page 49
- Battery with so-called „magic eye“ - see page 148.
Further information - refer to Service Sche-
dule. More detailed information is also
available from your Škoda Dealer.
SpecificationThe engine is factory-filled with a brand-
name multigrade oil which can be used as
an all-seasons oil - except in extremely cold
climatic zones. Oils may also be intermixed
when topping up (does not apply to mod-
els with LongLife Service*).
We recommend using oils from the selec-
tion of original oils available at Škoda.
Note
Engine oils naturally also undergo continu-
ous further development. That is why the
information contained in this Owner’s
Manual reflects the technical status at the
time of publication.Engine oil
Škoda Dealers are kept up-to-date by the
factory regarding any changes. It is there-
fore good practice to have the oil change
carried out at a Škoda Dealer.